By Tyler Marr

Strengthened public smoking bylaw one step from implementation

Jul 17, 2018 | 5:00 PM

For nearly two years, the city has chiselled away at crafting a strengthened public smoking bylaw to bring the current legislation, dating back to 1993, in line with modern practices.

Monday night, these months of work and countless hours of public and stakeholder consultation came forward in the Smoking in Public Places Bylaw for final approval. While it failed to gain leave for third reading and many municipal lawmakers praised the provisions within the legislation, others want to take measures a step further.

Of note in the new bylaw are regulations regarding marijuana and vaping, restaurant patios and plans to establish a designated smoking area outside the Art Hauser Centre. 

Restrictions for consuming cannabis upon legalization in public spaces, in line with federal and provincial law, have been included. Also included was expanding the buffer zone outside public facility entrances from three to nine metres, restricting smoking on restaurant, bar and lounge patios and entering into discussions to designate a smoking area outside the Art Hauser Centre or possibly implement a no re-entry policy. Cook Municipal Golf Course has been exempt from the restriction.

The rule under heaviest scrutiny, and what lead councillors Dennis Nowoselsky and Ted Zurakowski to hold up third reading, pertained to a nine-metre buffer zone around outdoor spectator areas, playgrounds and other recreational areas. Not only did the Ward 7 and 8 lawmakers highlight this as a point of contention, representatives from the Canadian Cancer Society and Lung Association worried it could be problematic for the city.

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“How do you define this and recognize the differences? It has the potential to result in disagreements and problems for enforcement,” Jennifer May, vice-president of community engagement at The Lung Association of Saskatchewan said, wanting an outright ban of smoking and vaping on public property, like other municipalities in the province. 

Zurakowski stepped up during debate Monday night and didn’t believe the law went far enough in protecting youth and minor sporting activities.

“As much as we are trying to do the right thing, we are going to look back and say, in three years, we missed an opportunity,” he said.

He believed the city could be a bit more proactive and find some compromise for outdoor recreation site smoking.

Nowoselsky concurred, questioning why Prince Albert can’t do it if Saskatoon and Regina successfully have.

“We could be more progressive,” Nowoselsky added.

Ward 5’s Dennis Ogrodnick, however, was confident through signage and education, self-regulation would curb any violators. He made note of the recent Junior World Men’s Softball Championship and how with thousands of people on the grounds, only two minor infractions occurred.

“Being polite and asking them not to smoke near you … will work on most parts,” he said.

Mayor Greg Dionne felt the proposed bylaws will work “halfway,” noting some will abide by it, but others won’t. 

“Ninety per cent of the people will abide by what the bylaws say,” he told media after the meeting.

Dionne brushed aside worries the arbitrary nature of the buffer zone will lead to unnecessary confrontations with bylaw officers. He said even 90 per cent compliance would be a big step forward and the handful of those breaking the law will be more noticeable. 

The bylaw will come back for a third reading at the next council meeting to be signed into law.

tyler.marr@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JournoMarr